TASTE • DINE
Authentic Italian Pizzicata treats everyone like family By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
P
izzicata owner Federico Venturini considers his guests and employees family at his Carefree Italian restaurant. Guests impart stories of visits to Italy, from which Venturini hails. In turn, Venturini shares authentic dishes like Pinsa Romana, pizza (starting at $10) with 48% less sugar, 85% less fat and no cholesterol. “We’re the first to make Pinsa Romana in Arizona,” Venturini says proudly. “People love and enjoy our patio, and it’s a beautiful area up here.” Venturini and his chef/ wife, Viola, moved to the North Valley two years ago from a small town in Umbria, an Italian region bordering Tuscany, Lazio and Le Marche. They opened the restaurant on September 26. He didn’t expect the success he has garnered. “People love our food,” he says. “We are the only authentic Italian restaurant in North Scottsdale and Carefree.” He chose to open Pizzicata in Carefree after visiting a friend from Paradise Valley. “I came here to stay together with his family,” Venturini says. “He showed me this country. I changed completely my life. Five years ago, I started my plan to open this 32
Pizzicata is led by chef Viola Venturini and her husband, Federico Venturini. (Photo by Pablo Robles)
and two in Italy. Soon, they will open Pomodoro Italian Grill and Seafood, an upscale restaurant in the former Cartwright’s location in Cave Creek. Pizzicata is a bit more casual, The Montebianco pizza—one serving pizza—which is 65% ball of fresh buffalo mozzarella, to 70% of the business—and prosciutto di parma and extra virgin olive oil—is a specialty of homemade pasta such as Pizzicata. It sells for $21. fettuccine, gnocchi, ravioli, (Photo by Pablo Robles) lasagna and tortellini ($18-$28). “People love our pasta,” he restaurant. First, it’s very hard to get the says. visa. But I realized my dream in five years. Appetizers at Pizzicata include caprese, Italians love Americans, and Americans which features fresh tomatoes, buffalo love Italians.” mozzarella, burrata and prosciutto di Pizzicata is part of a chain that also has parma ($14); and polpette al sugo, simply locations in Nice, France; Barcelona, Spain; meatballs in tomato sauce ($10).
AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020 NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM
